SmartAID, a new Israeli humanitarian aid organisation, has been among the first to enter Australia’s Kangaroo Island in January to help locals affected by ongoing wildfires.
The organisation aims to provide their expertise in technology to disaster sites around the globe. For the past three years, SmartAID has assisted in countries including Mozambique, Puerto Rico, Northern Iraq and Indonesia.
Their most recent aid project was in Australia where they worked alongside the Australian army, firefighters, and another non profitable aid organisation called BlazeAid. A particular island that was largely affected by the fires was Kangaroo Island, and SmartAID were among the first to arrive and provide help.
Their main objectives so far on Kangaroo Island have been to clear the road of burned down homes, helping farmers to try and rebuild their livelihood and trying to create more access routes.
SmartAID Global Goodwill Ambassador Alethea Gold said: “The wildfires which hit Kangaroo Island looks like a scene from an apocalypse movie. The team drives through the fire trail in Kangaroo Island, with burned trees, some still on fire. The earth is black and smoke fills the air”.
Although SmartAID is based in Israel, it also has offices in Australia, America and soon in Europe.
It is evident that in recent years, more technological and innovative techniques to help disaster sites have been more effective than traditional aid techniques. With Israel being a pioneer of the technological landscape, SmartAID aim to use their advanced technology to help those in need. Specific examples of what SmartAID have done in the past include providing people in the Bahamas with solar lights, clean water solutions and hygiene packs after hurricane Dorian affected thousands of people. To fund their current project in Australia they have reached out to Australian donors and also the Tel Aviv based Ted Arison family foundation.
There are also other Israeli groups which are helping to aid those affected by the wild fires in Australia. Jerusalem Biblical Zoo have started a fundraising campaign to provide those helping the injured animals with veterinary equipment. There is also the Gan Garoo Australian Park, located in northern Israel, which are donating a percentage of all their ticket sales to Australian relief efforts and soon plan to send a veterinary team out to Australia to help look after and heal the injured kangaroos.
